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Restarting Open the Book

in Schools in Purbeck

Open the Book was started in Bedford in 1999
by a small group of Christian parents concerned
that their children were not hearing many Bible
stories related in school. Their local primary
schools welcomed the team into assemblies to
give a brief introduction, read from the Storyteller Bible and act out the
Bible story and finish with a short comment and a prayer.

The project has grown from that simple start. It was taken up by various
groups in Britain, a set of assemblies covering most Bible stories in a
three year cycle was prepared and more schools invited groups to take
assemblies. It became too big for the original groups to manage and they
joined the Bible Society in 2013. It has been rolled out nationally with
training provided and in 2019 One in 6 primary schools were visited by
Open the Book teams, including a Purbeck team who led assemblies
twice a term in St Mary’s, St Mark’s, Swanage Primary, St Georges and
Corfe Primary Schools, enthusiastically directed by Mark Cufflin.

Unfortunately the pandemic meant that teams have been unable to visit
schools, including our local team, although in the week leading up to the
first lockdown we did deliver Easter books for all the children to local
schools. Some teams had the expertise to go on-line. We couldn’t go
on-line but we haven’t forgotten the children and their need to hear Bible
stories in a way relevant to their lives and would love to start Open the
Book again. Sadly we have lost valuable members of the team for various
reasons and Mark would like to stand down as organiser although willing
to remain on the team, so we need new recruits.

Why should you consider if this is a way in which you can serve our Lord?
Scripture Union estimate that 95% of primary age children have no
contact with a local church. If they are not coming to us, then we should
be going to them in a safe environment as provided by Open the Book.
The assemblies are already prepared and approved for the National
Curriculum. They last no longer than 15 minutes and there are
opportunities for anyone who enjoys reading aloud, acting, with artistic or
musical talent or is good at administration by liaising with the schools, as
well as folk willing to pray for the team. Most important of all is a desire to
relate to the children and to show God’s love for them.

Over the years I’ve been involved with Open the Book, I have loved to

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